The sun had barely crested the horizon when the camp stirred to life. Elena stood at the center of the village square, watching as her small band of survivors and villagers prepared themselves for what was to come.
The old man—who had introduced himself as Rylan—worked with Cassian to arm the group. Crude weapons were handed out: sharpened pitchforks, rusty swords, and makeshift bows with brittle arrows. It wasn't much, but it would have to be enough.
Elena watched them move—faces hardened with determination, hands trembling slightly with fear. These were not warriors. They were farmers, blacksmiths, and mothers. But they were her people now, and they were willing to fight.
Cassian approached, his expression unreadable. "We're as ready as we'll ever be."
Elena turned to him, her brow furrowed. "What do you think Lucian will do when he finds out we're gathering forces?"
Cassian's silver eyes were sharp, his voice low. "He'll send a warning—a message to remind us of his power. He'll want to break us before we become a threat."
Elena nodded, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her sword. "Then we need to move before he finds us."
Cassian hesitated, as though weighing his words carefully. "There's something else."
Elena looked at him sharply. "What is it?"
"I scouted ahead this morning," Cassian replied. "There's movement coming from the east. A small patrol—no more than a dozen soldiers—but they're heading straight for this village."
The news hit her like a blow to the chest. "How long do we have?"
"Hours at most," Cassian said. "We can fight, or we can run."
Elena glanced at the villagers, who were still preparing their weapons, their faces tense with fear. She knew what Cassian was really asking—Can they fight?
"They're not ready," Elena admitted. "Not for a real fight."
"Then we make a choice," Cassian said. "Stand and fight, or get them out of here while we can."
Elena's jaw tightened. Run and live to fight another day—or stand and risk losing everything.
She turned to Rylan, who stood nearby sharpening a rusted axe. "Can your people move quickly?"
The old man looked up, his expression grim. "We're not cowards, girl. If soldiers are coming, we'll face them."
Elena shook her head. "Facing them unprepared is suicide. We'll leave the village behind and set a trap in the forest."
Cassian raised a brow. "A trap?"
Elena turned to him, her mind racing. "We can't beat them with strength, but we can outsmart them. We'll lure them into the woods and pick them off one by one."
Cassian considered her for a moment, then nodded. "It could work."
"It will work," Elena said firmly. "We don't have another choice."
The village was emptied within the hour. Rylan led the villagers toward the cover of the trees, their movements quick but quiet. Elena followed at the rear, Cassian at her side, their eyes scanning the horizon for signs of the soldiers.
When they reached the forest, Elena stopped, turning to the group. "We'll use the land against them. Hide in the trees, behind rocks—anywhere they won't see you. Wait for my signal before you strike."
The villagers nodded, their fear replaced by quiet resolve.
Cassian stepped closer, his voice low. "You're starting to sound like a leader."
Elena met his gaze, her expression hard. "I don't care about being a leader. I care about keeping them alive."
Cassian's lips curved into the faintest smile. "Good. That's what makes you dangerous."
The soldiers arrived just as the sun began to dip below the treetops. Elena crouched behind a thick oak, her breath steady, her heart pounding in her chest. She could see them now—twelve men clad in armor, their swords gleaming in the fading light.
"Fan out," one of the soldiers barked. "The villagers can't have gotten far."
The group split up, moving deeper into the forest. Elena glanced at Cassian, who was hidden across from her, his silver eyes sharp and waiting.
Now.
Elena raised her hand, then dropped it sharply.
An arrow flew from the shadows, striking the nearest soldier in the leg. He cried out, stumbling forward. Chaos erupted as the soldiers turned, shouting orders, their weapons raised.
Elena moved quickly. She darted from her hiding place, slashing at an unsuspecting soldier's side before disappearing back into the trees. Around her, the villagers struck like shadows—jabbing with spears, loosing arrows, and vanishing before the soldiers could react.
"Stay together!" the leader shouted, but it was too late.
The forest was their ally. The soldiers, clad in heavy armor, struggled to move through the underbrush, while the villagers struck and disappeared like ghosts.
Elena's blade found its mark again and again, her movements fueled by desperation and resolve. She heard Cassian's sword ringing through the air, saw Maren loosing arrows from a tree branch, her aim deadly and precise.
We're winning, Elena realized.
But then she heard it—a sharp cry of pain.
She turned just in time to see Rylan fall to the ground, a soldier's blade buried in his chest.
"No!"
Elena's scream was lost in the chaos as she ran toward him, her sword slashing through the soldier who had struck him. Rylan coughed, blood staining his lips as Elena dropped to her knees beside him.
"You're going to be okay," she said quickly, pressing her hands against his wound. "We can save you."
Rylan's gaze met hers, his eyes clouded with pain. "I told you… we're not cowards."
"Rylan, please," Elena whispered, her voice breaking.
The old man's lips curved into a faint smile. "Lead them well… my queen."
His hand went limp, his eyes staring into nothing.
Elena froze, the world around her blurring as grief crashed over her like a wave.
"Elena!"
Cassian's voice broke through the haze. He grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet. "It's over. The soldiers are dead. We need to move."
Elena looked around, her vision clearing. The forest was silent again, the bodies of Lucian's soldiers scattered among the trees. The villagers stood nearby, their faces pale, their weapons stained with blood.
Rylan's body lay at her feet.
Elena's hands trembled, but she forced herself to stand tall. She turned to the villagers, her voice steady despite the grief threatening to consume her.
"We won today," she said. "But this isn't the end. Rylan gave his life for this fight. For us. We can't let it be for nothing."
The villagers nodded, their eyes hard with resolve.
Cassian placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice soft. "He believed in you, Elena. Don't let that belief go to waste."
Elena looked down at Rylan one last time before turning away. Her grief would have to wait.
"Let's move," she said. "We have a kingdom to save."